10
Getting the Best cooking results
Testing your dinnerware or cookware
Test dinnerware or cookware before using .
To test a dish for safe use, put it into oven with a
cup of water beside it . Cook at 100% cook power for one minute .
If the dish gets hot, do not
use it .
Some dishes (melamine, some ceramic dinnerware, etc .) absorb microwave energy, becoming
too hot to handle and slowing cooking times . Cooking in metal containers not designed for
microwave use could damage the oven, as could containers with hidden metal (twist-ties, foil
lining, staples, metallic glaze or trim) .
To get the best results from your microwave oven, read and follow the guidelines below .
Storage Temperature:
•
Foods taken from the freezer or refrigerator take longer to cook than the
same foods at room temperature .
Size:
•
Small pieces of food cook faster than large ones, and pieces similar in size and shape
cook more evenly . For even cooking, reduce the power when cooking large pieces of food .
Natural Moisture:
•
Very moist foods cook more evenly because microwave energy is attracted to
water molecules .
Stir foods
•
such as casseroles and vegetables from the outside to the center to distribute the heat
evenly and speed cooking . Constant stirring is not necessary .
Turn over foods like pork chops,
•
baking potatoes, roasts, or whole cauliflower halfway through the
cooking time to expose all sides equally to microwave energy .
Place delicate areas of foods,
•
such as asparagus tips, toward the center of the dish .
Arrange unevenly shaped foods,
•
such as chicken pieces or salmon steaks, with the thicker, meatier
parts toward the outside of the dish .
Shield, with small pieces of aluminum foil,
•
parts of food that may cook quickly, such as wing tips
and leg ends of poultry .
Let It Stand:
•
After the timed cooking period ends, let food stand inside or outside of the oven so
that it finishes cooking to the center and to avoid overcooking the outer edges. The length of
standing time depends on the density and surface area of the food . For standing time outside
the oven, cover the food with foil or a casserole lid .
Wrapping in waxed paper or paper towel:
•
Sandwiches and many other foods containing
prebaked bread should be wrapped prior to microwaving to prevent drying out .
59285049-0_DE68-03CFR.indb 10
2010-09-06 �� 8:56:03
